The generals agree that there is no military solution to Iraq. Common knowledge that they do, they want diplomatic initiatives.

The wiser heads carefully crafted a report suggesting diplomatic solutions be a part of the mix. They aren't. Again, common knowledge.

al-Maliki believes that embedding more Americans into Iraqi troop formations is an insult and doesn't like the idea. Widely quoted, common knowledge.

So, Bush goes for a military solution, doing everything he can to antagonize Iran and Syria. It is a well-known fact that propinquity creates a legitimate interest. For instance, Iran has a legitimate interest in seeing that the US, whose present regime hates Iran, does not prevail in Iraq. Would the US want Iran in control of Mexico, or Canada? Probably not.

So, against all advice, Bush tries to continue doing what hasn't, won't and can't work. It boggles the mind, makes one a bit ashamed to be an American. At least ashamed of being part of a group which let him come close enough to steal two elections.

Arf